In addition to the R&D call for early career researchers (ECR), in 2025 Instruct offers funding for projects in technology development (TechDev) within the area of development of “AI tools for Integrated Structural Biology”. A maximum of €30,000 is to be awarded for each successful project.

Whilst the prospective AI tools can cover any aspect of Integrated Structural Biology, the proposals must develop tools that will benefit the aims of Instruct and that could become available at Instruct Centres. To this end, it is anticipated that the tools should be compatible with current technologies available through Instruct, and will either utilise or make use of experimental data from techniques accessible through Instruct. As a result of this stipulation, proposals can involve applications for visits to Instruct centres if specifically acquired data is required (please see application conditions if successful for more details). The evaluation of the proposal will consider the previous academic track record of the applicant in this area.

Application Process 

Only applications submitted online before the deadline on 10th April 2025 (14:00 CEST) will be considered. Applicants must be registered Instruct users: for any questions contact us directly at support@instruct-eric.org. Applicants must be resident in one of the Instruct member countries or working within an Instruct member intergovernmental organisation. 

Up to two pilot projects may be funded, each up to a maximum of €30,000.  The funds are expected to cover research expenses but not normally salaries.  

At the conclusion of a pilot study and within one year of the project start, the researcher must submit a progress report. On the basis of this report the researcher may exceptionally seek to extend the pilot study. The approval decision will rest with the Executive Committee. 

The study should be of limited scope, have well defined objectives, and usually should be completed within one year. A short proposal is required for the initiation of a pilot study of this length.

Call Submission Guidelines

TechDev applications - Evaluation criteria:

Proposals will be peer reviewed and reviewers’ comments on the proposal will be available to the applicant.  

Assessment criteria: The criteria that Instruct will use to determine successful applications are: (score 0-3 and 0-5 respectively for the elements below: 0=low; 3=high (question 1); 5=high (questions 2-5)) 

1. Novelty: Is the proposed project innovative and/or novel either in subject area or approach? (score 0-3)
2. Feasibility: Is it likely that something useful will result from one year’s support? Note that high risk/high gain preliminary projects are welcome and will be scored high, while trivial but feasible projects will be scored low (score 0-5)
3. Impact: Is there likely to be a high impact on the specific field? (score 0-5)
4. Methodology development: Is there likely to be methodology development that fits the aims of Instruct? (0-5)
5. Applicant(s): Is the track record and expertise in methods and technology development of the applicant of high quality and relevant to delivering the project proposed? (score 0-5) 

Review and decision process: 

1. 2 external reviewers will evaluate up to 4 proposals in a competitive manner. The initial scores will then be evaluated by the R&D panel.
2. The applications will be reviewed by the R&D panel, forming a short-list based on the returned reviewer scores.
3. The panel will recommend awards up to €30,000 each.

Application Conditions if Successful

Before the Instruct financial officer transfers the funds to the awardee department, a letter from the applicant’s institution supporting the project as described in the proposal is required. The award is sent to the applicant’s department upon receiving an invoice from the department for 2/3 of the awarded funds. One third of the funds will be sent at the end of the project after receipt of a project report. In case part of the R&D award is aimed at supporting access visits by the applicant to an Instruct facility, the part of the award associated with the Instruct visit will not be sent to the applicant and will be retained by Instruct to pay the facility directly. In such instances, the cost of a visit will be deducted from the initial 2/3 of awarded funds, with the remaining 1/3 sent as described previously following receipt of a project report. If you have questions pertaining to the value of Instruct access visits please contact support@instruct-eric.org.

The project report should be received within six months of completion of the work: the report should include a short description of the work performed, use of the Instruct funds and any publications arising from the project. Additionally, all publications must include this acknowledgement "The authors acknowledge the support and the use of resources of Instruct-ERIC through the R&D pilot scheme APPID xxx." The applicant is also required to complete their profile on the Instruct website. We will use the photo and information in the profile to publish the result of this award on our website. In addition to the award, the applicant and their team are encouraged to apply for access to Instruct infrastructure, when/where appropriate, to undertake some of the proposed research (see our catalogue at https://instruct-eric.eu/platform-catalogue). For more information on the access process including the funding available, please go to https://instruct-eric.eu/access-costs-and-funding.